The Blade in the Storm

Chapter 7

'Phew. I have to get a different number, one that is non-trackable.'

Aaarav's POV 

By the time I reached campus, it was already evening. The sun was setting in the west with an enchanting glow. It reminded me of my first day fighting monsters. It was the same glow.

I was walking and reminiscing about what happened in the past few months when,

"Beautiful scenery, right?"

I turned around to find Abhay behind me. Contrary to his tone, he looked rather excited.

"If you've got something to say, just say it," I smirked. That is when he dropped the act and switched into his usual super-active mode.

"Yeah, I have some exciting news."

"You're pregnant?" I joked. He scrunched his face when he heard my words.

"Shut up and listen to me. Just a minute ago, the IPA called, insisting that I join the boss raid tomorrow."

"Why would they invite a B-rank player to a party of S-rankers?" I became a tad suspicious of IPA's intentions.

"Apparently, they were low on high-level players because some S-rankers, I'm guessing you, refused to join the raid." I nodded. He continued.

"Due to that, they contacted everyone with a level higher than 7, which includes me, since I had a level higher than 7."

When he finally looked at me, I gave him an interrogating glare. He understood that I wanted to ask how the association knew his level.

"I registered my level at the local branch of the association in the morning after breakfast." I sighed.

"What kind of reason did you give them?" I was genuinely curious about the extent of lies the association believed would be possible.

"Oh, I just told them that I somehow learned a skill that allows me to shoot the enemy flaming hot arro-Wait you are not thinking of scamming them, are you?"

I shot a wink and a mischievous smile in his direction.

"Who knows? Maybe I am, maybe I am not."

Abhay sighed. We then proceeded to dinner. Afterwards, we slept in our respective rooms.

The Next Day

In the morning, I woke up not from my alarm but from Abhay banging on the door. Sleepily, I walked to the door and opened it to see him dressed up and ready for the raid.

"The raid is so early in the morning? Thank god I refused to participate."

"It's not the association who called everyone early. It is you who wakes at 10." He was a bit annoyed by my sleep-in habit.

"Whatever. Why did you come here?" I asked.

"About that. Can you lend me your katana? You don't even use it anymore." I didn't ask any more questions and gave the katana to him.

"Let me give you some advice. If you're thinking of fighting a floor boss with this katana, go die in a pit. It will be less shameful." He opened his mouth to retaliate, but someone interrupted him.

"Abhay, how long will it take you to get a sword?" It was a girly voice. I glanced behind him to look at the interruption. Standing there was a girl. I smirked.

"Yeah buddy, how long will it take you to get a damn sword? It's not good to keep your girl waiting, you know." I teased him emphasizing the word 'your', but the girl seemed to be a bit agitated by my remark.